Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains what information Founders Draw collects, how we use it, and the choices you have. We keep it short and try to collect only what we need to run the draw.

1. Information we collect

• Your email address — to create your account, send sign-in codes, and email you about the draw.
• Startup details you add — name, website, and pitch — which may be shown in connection with the draw.
• Referral relationships — who invited whom, so we can credit entries.
• Activity — your entries, position, and actions on the platform.
• Technical data — basic information like IP address and session data, used to keep your account secure and prevent abuse.

2. Avatars (Gravatar)

To show a friendly avatar, we may request an image from Gravatar using a hashed version of your email address. If you don’t have a Gravatar, we simply show your initials. Gravatar’s handling of your data is governed by its own privacy policy.

3. How we use your information

• To operate the draw and your founder account.
• To authenticate you using one-time sign-in codes.
• To send transactional and draw-related emails.
• To detect, prevent, and address abuse, fraud, and security issues.
• To understand and improve the Service.

4. Email

We send you sign-in codes and emails related to the draw and your account. These are core to the Service. If we ever add purely promotional emails, you’ll be able to opt out.

5. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with:

• service providers that help us run the Service (for example, hosting and email delivery), under appropriate confidentiality obligations;
• authorities, if required by law or to protect rights, safety, and the integrity of the Service.

Information you choose to include in your startup (name, link, pitch) may be shown publicly or to our mailing list as part of the draw.

6. Cookies & sessions

We use a small number of essential cookies to keep you signed in and to keep the Service secure. We don’t use them for cross-site advertising.

7. Data retention

We keep your information while your account is active and as needed to run the draw. You can ask us to delete your account and associated personal data at any time.

8. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, export, or delete your personal data. To exercise them, contact us and we’ll respond within a reasonable time.

9. Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your information, including passwordless sign-in. No method of transmission or storage is perfectly secure, but we work to keep your data safe.

10. Changes

We may update this policy from time to time. We’ll update the date above when we do.

11. Contact

Questions or requests? Email [email protected].